Some economists aren’t pathetic

While there are many instances where Boudreaux proves his worth, this recent post of his on Cafe Hayek is ample evidence.

First, Boudreaux reprints a letter from economist David Rose that was published in the Wall Street Journal. Rose’s letter proves his worth. I’ve reprinted it below. It’s a must read.

Second, Boudreaux reminds us of a most excellent point made by David Henderson that proves his worth. Henderson pointed out that using the term wealth redistribution incorrectly implies in market economies that there was wealth distribution to begin with. There wasn’t. There was wealth creation from risk-taking and value discovery.

I would like to extend his point further with something I’ve told my college students for years.

In general, the creation of wealth is edifying. When only voluntary transactions are permitted, the creation of wealth requires cooperation, and this brings out the best in us.

Piles of wealth, however, tend to be corrupting. The fixed nature of a pile is all about apportionment, not cooperation, and this zero-sum game tends to bring out the worst in us.

It follows directly that no matter how noble the ends, government redistribution (which is hardly voluntary) tends to bring out the worst in us. Rising government redistribution over the past 75 years has produced ample evidence of this point.

We are in this mess because we have allowed our culture to be dominated by those who are bent on spreading the false and self-serving narrative that our economy is a giant zero-sum game.

As such, we might as well have the government do the dividing.

Small wonder why our politics have become increasingly about who you are for rather than what you are for.